On the one hand, it sets Whitman apartment from the state and national Republican party, and runs counter to moves made by senate candidates John McCain in Arizona and Carly Fiorina here in California.

She's not alone in the party, at least, with Repbublican Lt. Gov. Abel Maldonado also opposing the Arizona law. She does differ with Maldonado in terms of education for undocumented immigrants, however, promising not to allow them access to the state's public college and universities.

Brown also opposes the Arizona Law, but supports access to higher education by immigrants and a path to citizenship for those already living, working and paying taxes in the state.

The move is part of a larger effort by the Whitman campaign to court latino voters, 71 percent of whom oppose Arizona's law. And while there's concern among GOP pundits she'll alienate her right wing base in the state, the bigger concern among the GOP is that she'll alienate right-leaning independents, as well.

Jackson West wonders who it was that suggested Whitman moderate her stance on immigration based on Field Poll numbers earlier this week on NBC Bay Area.